United Nations

UN Charter

foundational treaty of the UN that establishes its framework

UN Charter Framework

• Sovereign Equality of Member States

• International Jurisdiction

• General Prohibition on Force

• General Duty for Peace

Sovereign Equality of Member States

each member state legally recognized as being equal to each other

International Jurisdiction

UN may only intervene in international matters (not domestic)

General Prohibition of Force

all members states shall not use military force against independence of other states

General Duty for Peace

Member states shall settle their disputes peacefully, give assistance to the UN against aggressors, and refrain from assisting aggressors targeted by the UN.

UN Methods

Peacekeeping, Humanitarian Intervention, Sanctions

Peacekeeping

UN military personnel who monitor/enforce a ceasefire/peace agreement.

All parties must agree to presence of peacekeeper

Humanitarian Intervention

UN authorization of force in the event of mass humanitarian crisis.

Does not need permission from the responsible state but can only be authorized in response to a very dire crisis.

Sanctions

UN authorizes complete or partial restrictions on economic relations (ex. arms embargoes, diplomatic suspensions, travel bans, etc).

Comprehensive Sanctions

prohibits all types of economic transactions within a country

Targeted Sanctions

Sanctions limited to restricting certain types of economic transactions with targets (ex. government, politicians, rebel groups, etc)

Main Organs of the UN (6)

General Assembly, Security, Secretariat, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Trusteeship Council

UN General Assembly Functions (5)

Deliberative, policy-making, and representative body of the UN.

• Universal Equal Membership

• Approves Budget (2/3 majority)

• Approves UN Appointments (2/3 majority)

• Creation of Subsidiary Organs (2/3 majority)

• Passing Resolutions: (2/3 majority)

Security Council Function

Emergency group of the UN. responsible for maintaining peace when there is a threat/crisis

Security Council Resolutions

Needs 9/15 votes (without veto) to pass legally binding resolutions to authorize peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, or sanctions

Security Council Membership

made up of 5 permanent members and 10 rotating members. 1 vote per member, permanent members have a veto vote. 

International Court of Justice

settles legal disputes between member states

• made up of 15 judges who serve 9-year terms

• Can only rule on cases after getting consent from member states

• Rulings are enforced by the Security Council

UN Reforms

UN Parliamentary Assembly and Security Council Reform

UN Parliamentary Assembly

Creation of a seventh main organ that has democratically elected representatives from around the world

Security Council Reform

includes proposals like expanding non-permanent members and permanent members and limiting veto power.